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keiki on a spike that is starting to brown


Question
I got this plant on Mother's Day and it has been blooming its heart out ever since,  just dropped its last bloom today.  I think all that blooming wore the plant out,  it has dropped all but one leaf but developed a keiki on the main stem.  There are no roots on the keiki yet and I worry that the baby will die as the spike turns brown. Any suggestions as to how I can save the plant mother and child?

Answer
The stem turning brown is normal and the browning usually stops just above the keiki.  You can cut the brown part off if it bothers you to see it, just go up about an inch above the keiki and cut it off.  

I'm not quite sure where to start.  You did not mention where you live, where and how you are growing it, etc.  Without some information, it is difficult to say what to do or change.  But, here is some information about what a phalaenopsis orchid needs to grow well.  

Bright indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60F to 85F, humidity above 50% with an occasional light breeze.  Water it when the potting media becomes barely moist, feed it a balance type orchid fertilizer at 1/4 the amount suggested on the container.  

Hope this helped but if you need more assistance, write back with a little more information and I'll try to help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.  

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